Landscape lessons

More sun with a quick visit to the chilly midwest

I arrived in Tucson on January 27, and I’m still here thanks to the generosity of my cousins, Sue and Steve. Except for the five days I spent back in Evanston/Chicago (more about that in a minute), I’ve been having a blast here, enjoying the sun and warmth, the great company, and having a moment of being settled in.

Tucson, is now the second largest city in Arizona, although it was the largest until surpassed by Phoenix around 1920. Initially inhabited by indigenous people it came under Spanish rule, then was a part of Mexico when it gained independence from Spain, ultimately acquired by the U.S. after the Mexican/American war. It’s a complicated land resolution, as so many were, and there’s more info here if you’re interested. Tucson is surrounded by five mountain ranges, and hiking is everywhere.

Here’s a man (Steve) and his dog (Picasso) from a recent hike in this gorgeous, and yet craggy, landscape.

the beauty we sometimes miss

Going sideways. I’m struck by the beauty of this entire country (and probably most of the world) if we pay attention. It’s been incredibly special during these past 5 1/2 months to explore with this freedom, inviting the unexpected.

Years ago when Steven and I were not yet married, we drove across the country one year to Iowa, a place that had never captured my imagination. We took his truck with no air conditioning which had sideways seats in the back. With Jess secured into one of the jump seats and two Huskies under a canopy in the truck bed, we drove in a hot summer through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and then Iowa. Returning we came through Colorado and Utah traversing over 3.600 miles with good attitudes and nary a complaint from this sweet girl sitting sideways in the back.

We drove into Iowa at dusk, a a favorite time of day for me with its luminous blue sky over darkening landscapes without shadows. As we entered Iowa, I found it magical, I know, who says that?? But the rolling hills, vibrant dark-green fields of corn and soybean, and fireflies, created a charmed first entry into that state. It was my first time ever seeing fireflies and it was as if their intent was performance art. That trip taught me two big lessons. If you can enjoy, let alone survive, a trip like that as we did before being married, you’re going to be okay to marry that person. And second, don’t make assumptions about any place before you see it.

back to desert beauty

Arizona has a very unique beauty that once you identify, you see it everywhere. The cacti alone demand your attention with their amazing variation and prickly beauty.

I’m staying in a beautiful guest house in the Sam Hughes neighborhood of Tucson a few short blocks from the University of Arizona campus. My time here is a wonderful blend of together time with cousins and space to be alone. Sue and I are super compatible. She’s a night owl, I’m not. She sleeps in, I like my morning quiet time. But by midday we’re off doing fun activities for sure. And we haven’t run out of things to talk about yet, I’m guessing that could last quite a while.

We spent one day at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum where I learned many new things, including info about Javalinas that look like pigs but aren’t. Read up on them, they are interesting and not to be taken for granted. We went through a small zoo-like facility there, observed cactus and yucca gardens and enjoyed the sun, the heat, the expanse.

This is a sleeping Javalina which is not an exciting pic, but sorry the best I could/he would do.

But the ocelot….

And the flutter of butterflies. Well technically us.

We regularly walk across the sunny campus, taking pics of us, dogs, a backlit cactus, grabbing a bite in the student hall or observing the robotic delivery method for sick students.

We meandered through the cactus garden on campus which needs to update its signs as many have fallen off. We also enjoyed the tree ring laboratory with its huge specimens of sequoia, redwoods and more.

And throughout this trip, we’ve had endless conversations, cooked together, and enjoyed meals in the beautiful courtyard under the magnificent aleppo pine.

I’ve also been able to see a couple other friends. Another long-ago high school friend, Patricia and I had a wonderful brunch and walk, catching up, remembering and forgetting different things. She remembers people from our school much better than I after decades of life lived different places. It’s been very special to make connections on this trip with people who could have just slipped away and I’m grateful to social media for keeping us connected.

And some of my dear Chicago friends come to this area or live here now. I had a wonderful dinner with friends Michael and Rhoda, but sadly won’t be able to see everyone I want to see. Even though it felt like a lot of time here, it has been flying by.

a quick visit home

During the middle of this visit, I flew back to Chicago for five days, primarily for two docs appointments although I definitely squeezed in some fun. Apologies if I didn’t tell you and thanks to my dear friends who drove me around, arranged schedules and connected with me on this short trip.

I realized I think of myself as a resident of Chicagoland. I know Evanston is a uniquely wonderful community, although complicated and sometimes difficult. And being located on the northern edge of Chicago, it shares the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan and so much more. But for me it is also being part of Chicago that makes it so very special.

I stayed in my home thanks to Betty’s generosity and we had fun catching up and doing a variety of things together. I was able to see close girlfriends (and baby Charlie!), neighbors for a soup swap, and other special friends. And Mavis Staples at Orchestra Hall, what a treat! And doctors. And just to clarify, I’m in great health. I just have a weird thing with allergic reactions to medications so we have some work to do there.

How’s this for a contrast from recent days?

This quick trip made me consider the tradeoffs of different cities around the country. Chicago’s population is about 5 times the size of Tucson with a much greater density. Personally I love a big city and walking through downtown Chicago this past weekend was exciting, it is so energized. But not everyone does. AZ is a red state, IL blue. Chicago is more diverse, although Tucson has a higher percentage of the Latino/Latina population. Tucson gets 350+ days of sunshine each year and Chicago around 190. My poor Seattle gets 152, but on those days, it’s spectacular and for many worth it. Personally I like the change in seasons although I’m not really missing Chicago’s typical February weather, last year we had weeks of single digit weather.

Having moved from the west coast to the upper midwest almost nine years ago, and where I have found such a great home, it’s so clear that we each have different things we prioritize in our communities. Places are so unique. In every place we will find things we love, like, are ambivalent to, or dislike. When we moved to the Chicago area I told people I would give myself five years to not complain about the weather. And that was about right. There will always be weather to complain about no matter where you live. Too cold, too hot, drought, too much rain, it will be something.

and for a future post

I’m just starting to formulate my thoughts around an interesting aspect of this trip. There’s something very special and personal about being invited and welcomed into others’ lives and homes. To be able to participate in daily activities and continue conversations from life’s learnings to planning the next meal. It’s a special way to share time. I’ll be back on that.

I’ll be heading out next Tuesday, meeting up with friends for the next round. in the meantime, thanks Tucson for a beautiful visit!

Stay tuned!!

#travelingtapestry